Resident Assistants

abigail fossum - 1st floor dayton

Year in School: SeniorMajor: Athletic TrainingHometown:Canton, SDHobbies/Interests:I love reading, being outside, playing sports, and spending time with my family and friends.

Why did you get involved in residence life?I like helping people. I found that this would be a great opportunity for me to meet new people and make a difference in their lives.What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?I absolutely love cream puffs, I can pick up things with my toes and I am getting married next summer!

Andrew DeVaney – 1st Floor Dayton

Year in School: SeniorMajor: Elementary EducationHometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.Hobbies/ Interests: Sports, outdoors, reading, writing, and traveling.
Why did you get involved in residence life?I got involved with Res. Life because I didn't want to waste my time at DWU. I have seen the impact that past RA's have made here on campus and I just wanted that same opportunity. Even though I can come off awkward, I really enjoy people. God and People are my motivation for being an RA.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?I still can't tell whats bigger, my ankles or my wrists. I absolutely love Africa, been to 3 different countries there. I once roomed with a former DWU Homecoming King.

Ariana Arampatzis - 2nd floor dayton

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I got involved with res life because I love helping others with whatever they need and I had an awesome RA myself.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
My shoulders are double jointed. My favorite animal is the elephant. I have four sisters and a brother. I caught a proud angler Northern Pike this summer. I've been to Italy.

Landon Fischbach - 2nd floor dayton

Year in school: SophomoreMajor: Accounting with Emphasis in FinanceHometown: Mellette, SDHobbies/Interests: Basketball, music watching sports, helping others, hunting, and spending time with family.

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I want to get more involved at DWU. Being part of this amazing team allows me to grow as well as help others grow. I am looking forwatd to watching the progress students will make this year.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
I play basketball for DWU. I am an accounting major who really loves talking to people. People call me 'Fish.'

Taylor Smith - 3rd floor dayton

Year in school: SophomoreMajor: Elementary EducationHometown: Saratoga, WyomingHobbies/Interests: Sports, spending time with family and friends, fishing, wakeboarding.

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I got involved in residence life because I want to have a positive impact in the lives of the students around me and to help them have the best college experience possible.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
I'm ambidextrous. I cannot snap or whistle.

Dylan Lynde - 3rd floor dayton

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I really love people and I really love DWU. I want to help people have an awesome experience.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
Won the limbo contest my senior year at prom, deathly afraid of grasshoppers, Junior Class President. Selfie Extraordinaire

Kyle Gerlach - Campus houses

Year in School: SeniorMajor: Business AdministrationHometown: Mount Vernon, S.D.Hobbies/Interests: Farming/being outdoors, playing guitar, sports, and hanging out with friends.
Why did you get involved in residence life?I enjoy helping and meeting new people and it's an awesome group of people to work with.
What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?Started playing guitar over spring break of my freshman year of college, Graduated high school in a class of 21 students. I was an all-state football player back in the day. Had long curly hair when I was young. I went to Africa this summer!

Ryan Anderson - 1st floor Allen

Year in school: JuniorMajor: AccountingHometown: South San Francisco, CaliforniaHobbies/Interests: Playing sports and anything outside. I love being outside and doing things. I also love board games.

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I got involved with res life because I had a difficult start at DWU and want to help incoming students to have a better experience than I had.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
I love to people watch and I am actually a really big 'neat freak.'

Bailey Gummer – 2nd Floor Allen

Year in School: SeniorMajor:Elementary and Special EducationHometown:Brookings, S.D.Hobbies/Interests: Softball, hanging out with friends, watching movies, camping, biking, playing the piano.
Why did you get involved in residence life?I got involved with residence life because I wanted to provide the opportunity for current and incoming students to have the great experience I have had at Dakota Wesleyan so far! Also, residence life is an easy way to meet new people!
What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?I played hockey for five years in high school with three state championships! My favorite band is Led Zeppelin and my favorite actor is Steve Carell.

April Barnett - 3rd floor Allen

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I applied to become an RA so I could help the students on campus to have an awesome college experience. This also seemed like a great way to meet new people.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
I love playing video games, especially COD.

Christian Doyle - Campus Apartments

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I wanted to make a difference at DWU my senior year and what a way to do it by working with my peers and giving them the best DWU experience possible! I also wanted to get to know more people because it is awesome knowing so many students on campus and I love being able to talk to anyone at any time!

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?I have seven nieces and nephews, I broke my femur when I was four, I am afraid of heights, and can only grow sideburns for facial hair.

Mike Claar - Koka Hall

Why did you get involved in residence life?
I pursued a position with the residence life team because I knew it would give me an opportunity to better serve those around me and promote individual and community growth at DWU. I love Dakota Wesleyan and having fun, and those are two things that Res Life is all about!

What are some fun facts about you that people may not know?
My photograph appears multivple times in a successful book which was published by "Reader's Digest."

Professional Staff

Larissa buchholz - Assistant director of residence life

Hobbies/Interests: Music is a passion of mine; I love to sing and perform! I'm a huge movie buff and often speak in movie quotes. I also enjoy spending time outside, playing piano, shopping, and meeting new people.

Why did you get involved in residence life? My RA had such a positive influence on me during my freshman year and encouraged me to apply. I wanted to have that effect on residents' college experience as well. I felt that being involved with Residence Life would challenge me and allow me to meet many different people. Also, all of the RAs were such fun and exciting people; I wanted to be a part of that.

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know? I'm a huge nerd. I have shelves dedicated to my Star Wars, Thor/Loki/Marvel, and musical theater collections.

jEFF HOLSTEIN - STUDENT ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR/RESIDENT DIRECTOR

Hobbies/Interests:
When I am not at work I enjoy watching movies and playing board games of any sorts. My favorite summer activities have to be camping and fishing with friends and family. As an undergrad, my passion was throwing for DWU’s track team; now, I am a volunteer throwing coach for the team.

Why did you get involved in residence life?
Res. Life has an impact on the experience students have on campus and I wanted to be a part of that experience. Mentoring students, counseling, setting up events, and building strong relationships, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?
I saved every single movie ticket since 2013. Theater has always been another passion of mine and I find acting on stage invigorating.

Derik Fossum - Director of Residence Life

Education:Dakota Wesleyan University
M.A. Education Policy and Administration
B.A. Business Administration, Leadership
and Public Service, and Religion-Philosophy

Hometown: Canton, S.D.
Hobbies/Interests: I love sports, music, reading, and spending time with close friends and family.
Why did you get involved in residence life?I was asked to fill an open Resident Assistant position at semester my sophomore year and fell in love with the job and the opportunities that it brought me to impact people’s lives in a positive way. I have found working residence life to be a fulfilling career. I get to work with great people all day every day!
What are some fun facts about you that people may or may not know?I am an avid Miami Dolphins fan and can be heard singing their fight song all day long the day after a victory. I hope to be singing a little more often this fall.

Dakota Wesleyan University was named to the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This designation is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Dakota Wesleyan University is proudly affiliated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Members of any and all faiths are welcome and encouraged to experience an education based on learning, leadership, faith and service.

Dakota Wesleyan University has been honored as a College of Distinction through demonstration of excellence in these areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.

The Chronicle of Higher Education named Dakota Wesleyan University one of the “Great Colleges to Work For®” for 2014-2015. DWU won honors in three categories: facilities, workspace and security, and supervisor/department chair relationship.